A female boxer withdrew from a Canadian championship match last month after learning her opponent was a biological male one hour before they were scheduled to compete.
A female boxer withdrew from a championship in Quebec, Canada, after learning she was set to fight a trans-identified male.
Katia Bissonnette tells Reduxx she learned her opponent was a man just one hour before she was set to step into the ring.https://t.co/ntnivo4Xx2
— REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) November 15, 2023
Dr. Katia Bissonnette stepped away from the 2023 Provincial Golden Glove Championship in Victoriaville, Quebec, after learning that her opponent, Mya Walmsley, was transgendered.
Bissonnette reported that as she was heading downstairs to meet with the other boxers to warm up, her coach pulled her aside and told her that she would be facing a biological male.
Bissonnette based her decision not to fight Walmsley on a 2020 study conducted by the University of Utah that concluded that men can punch 163% harder than women.
Bissonnette added that trans athletes in close-contact sports pose a danger to women.
“Women shouldn’t have to bear the physical and psychological risks brought by a man’s decisions regarding his personal life and identity,” Bissonnette said in a statement. “There should be two categories: biological male and female.”
Bissonnette reported that Walmsley had recently moved to the area from Australia two years prior and had no boxing record of him fighting as a woman.
Walmsley was declared the winner by default due to the lack of a replacement competitor in their weight class. He criticized the way Bissonnette handled the situation, stating that she could have approached him in private instead of going to the media.
“This kind of behavior puts athletes at risk of being excluded or receiving personal attacks based on hearsay,” Walmsley said in a statement. “I am afraid that this type of accusation could eventually be used to delegitimize athletes in the women’s category, and justify arbitrary and invasive regulations.”
While Walmsley was upset by Bissonnette’s actions, many showed their support for the female boxer on social media.
good for her. female sports should NOT be a retirement plan for failed male athletes.
— Erman.E (@ErmanElb) November 19, 2023
Remember when men hitting women for fun wasn't cheered and encouraged as a good thing?
I miss those days.
— Donna Patriot Ancestor (@DonnaAncestor) November 15, 2023
This took a lot of courage and I am sure she trained hard to participate in the championship. Thank you Katia Bissonnette for sacrificing your opportunities to ensure our daughters have theirs. You are a hero.
— Ft. Willow (@alk55Willow) November 15, 2023
Speedy recovery wished for and prayers sent for Officer Pichardo
— Rosemarie (@Pitmom101) November 15, 2023
The International Olympic Committee allows transgendered women to compete in women’s categories as long as their testosterone levels are reduced to a specified threshold.
